ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Five years after misplacing a passenger’s luggage, Max Air Limited has finally paid N10 million in compensation to Usani Odum, a legal practitioner, following a Federal High Court judgment that found the airline liable for negligence.
The court, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/909/2020, ruled in December 2024 that Max Air had failed to exercise due care in handling Odum’s luggage during a 2019 flight, causing him significant distress, inconvenience, and financial loss.
According to TheInvestigator, the court awarded N10 million in damages and declared the airline’s conduct negligent.
Despite the court’s order, Max Air initially refused to comply with the ruling, prompting Odum to initiate garnishee proceedings against the airline. The court subsequently directed United Bank for Africa (UBA), one of Max Air’s financial institutions, to deduct the compensation from the airline’s account and transfer it to Odum. The enforcement action led to the eventual payment.
Speaking after receiving the compensation, Odum described the ordeal as a “long and frustrating journey for justice,” sharply criticising Max Air’s conduct throughout the case.
“Today, after more than five needless years before the Federal High Court in Abuja with Max Air Ltd for negligently misplacing my luggage, I can confirm receipt of the N10m damages in my account following the judgment of the court,” he said.
He condemned the airline’s handling of both the incident and the legal proceedings, calling their behavior “irresponsible, discourteous, and very despicable.”
“Theirs is a classical example of corporate irresponsibility that should never be tolerated in any civilised society,” Odum added.
He also expressed frustration with the slow pace of Nigeria’s judicial system. “No thanks to the Court for taking five years to settle such a simple matter,” he remarked.
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As of the time of this report, Max Air has not released an official statement in response to the judgment or the enforcement action.
Max Air Limited, a Nigerian airline, has faced multiple consumer rights issues over the past few years, including delayed refunds, flight cancellations, and safety concerns. Below is an overview of notable incidents:
Delayed Refunds and Flight Cancellations
- Michael Idemudia’s Refund Delay (2024): After Max Air canceled his Abuja to Lagos flight in July 2024, Michael Idemudia was informed that processing his ₦120,000 refund would take over a year.
- Cacelyn Travels and Tours’ Unsettled Refunds (2023–2024): Evans Chigbundu, manager of Cacelyn Travels and Tours Ltd, reported that Max Air withheld ₦1.045 million owed to his agency for canceled flights booked between May 2023 and January 2024. Despite multiple refund requests, the airline attributed the delay to issues with the payment platform Interswitch.
- Edi Theophilus Mawo’s Refund After Media Intervention (2023): Following two consecutive flight cancellations, Max Air delayed refunding ₦55,000 to Edi Theophilus Mawo for four months. The refund was processed only after media coverage highlighted the issue.
Flight Disruptions and Passenger Stranding
- Passengers Stranded in Abuja (June 2023): On June 28, 2023, passengers traveling from Kano to Lagos were unexpectedly disembarked in Abuja and left waiting for hours without clear communication. Similarly, passengers on an Abuja to Kano flight experienced multiple delays and inadequate information, leading to frustration and missed connections.
Safety Concerns and Regulatory Actions
- Tyre Burst Incident and Suspension (January 2025): A Max Air Boeing 737-400 experienced a tyre burst while landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on January 28, 2025. Although all 53 passengers were safely evacuated, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended Max Air’s domestic operations for three months to conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit.
- Resumption of Operations (March 2025): After completing the required audits, the NCAA approved Max Air’s resumption of domestic flights on March 17, 2025, confirming the airline’s capacity to maintain safe operations.
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by Max Air concerning consumer rights, operational reliability, and safety standards. Passengers have reported difficulties in obtaining timely refunds and have experienced significant inconveniences due to flight disruptions.
Regulatory interventions, such as the NCAA’s suspension and subsequent audits, underscore the need for improved compliance and customer service within the airline.